Today La Russophobe published an editorial about the legal plight of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, pointing out “It is not Mikhail Khdorokovsky who is in prison, but the Russian people themselves — and they are their own jailer.“
During the trial, it seems the prosecutor began reading from a document. The defense attorney objected, arguing that the contents were secret attorney-client communications. The judge asked the prosecutor whether she was simply quoting or including her own comments. The assistant prosecutor told the prosecutor to ignore the judge and keep reading. The furious judge asked the assistant how she dared suggest ignoring his question, and the assistant answered that it was because people in the audience were laughing. The judge then responded: “Well let ‘em laugh! If the convoy [Khodorkovsky's guards--Trans.] deems it necessary, it will stop them.”
So not only do the prosecutors brazenly flout the judge’s authority, but the judge himself admits that the police decide what happens in his courtroom. In other words, the forces that are prosecuting (or should we say persecuting?) Khodorkovsky are in charge, not the (supposedly) impartial judge.
This is what passes for “justice” in Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
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12 Comments
Odd “prison”, where millions travel the earth, and voluntarily return, with no FSB agents holding guns to peoples heads.Why don’t you just admit that Phoby and James and Robert have no understanding of Russia and Russians, and just give up on trying to fit them on your personal Procrustean Beds. No matter how you try to cut them or streach them, they’re not gonna fit.
Well, because that would be incorrect, rkka. They actually present some very good arguments about the situation in Russia, which you’d be better off trying to counter-argue. Hey, if they know so little, it should be easy to point out where the errors are, right? And back up your claims with good sources?Considering by the number of Russians I’ve found all over Europe who want to stay there and not go back to mother Russia, I don’t think this “prison” is so “odd”. Where I live (the Netherlands), there are many Russians who don’t want to ever go back — and they do all kinds of jobs, from menial to intellectual ones. I guess the only reason there are more people of other nationalities is that Russians still need a visa before coming. Could it be the ones who go back to Russia are simply connected to the élite there?The number of Dutchmen who went to Russia to do menial jobs is, to my knowledge, insignificant in comparison.
“Considering by the number of Russians I’ve found all over Europe who want to stay there and not go back to mother Russia, I don’t think this “prison” is so “odd”.”That “prison” let them go. Whether to return or not is up to them. Which of course means it isn’t a prison.
Actually, that is true. So let me rephrase: Russians are morally (though not physically, as they used to be in the USSR) prisoners of their system because they allow such unjust imprisonments as Khodorkovsky’s. They tacitly agree with unjust imprisonment, and therefore become accomplices of their own government. For the time being, it’s still possible to show displeasure at the government — but pro-Khodorkovsky protesters are arrested and their opinion is silenced.Remember: ‘First they came for the X, but since I wasn’t an X, I did nothing…’
Actually, that is true. So let me rephrase: Russians are morally (though not physically, as they used to be in the USSR) prisoners of their system because they allow such unjust imprisonments as Khodorkovsky’s. They tacitly agree with unjust imprisonment, and therefore become accomplices of their own government. For the time being, it’s still possible to show displeasure at the government — but pro-Khodorkovsky protesters are arrested and their opinion is silenced.Remember: ‘First they came for the X, but since I wasn’t an X, I did nothing…’
I am a bit surprised that you guys would be quoting La Russophobe on anything having to do with Mr. Khordokovsky after the March 6, 2009 Editorial titled, “Jail Khordokovsky!”In the March 6th editorial the anonymous blog “…explains why Russia and the world would be much better off if jailed oil executive Mikhail Khodorkovsky stayed in prison. We think Khodorkovsky would be better off too, and staying in prison would be appropriate pennance for his outrageous recent attempt at collaboration with the Kremlin, leaving Khodorkovsky himself better off as well.”Were I Kohordokovsky’s lawyer, friend, colleague, or acquaintance I don’t think I would be making nice and linking to a group of folks who quite obviously hate Russia.With all due respect, what are you guys thinking?
Sorry, I forgot the link to the March 6th “Editorial” See following link:http://larussophobe.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/editorial-jail-khodorkovsky/
Tim, I’d actually encourage you to dig deeper – Russophobe has published various articles strongly criticizing and attacking this blog … just like many others have from the other direction. I think it’s a sign that we are doing something right when we get assaulted from all sides, criticized of being too pro-regime and too anti-Putin or what have you.Lots of readers get upset by what we publish, and even upset about what we don’t publish.Really, the only lesson to take away from this is that one can never blog about Russia with any hope of pleasing the audience. That’s why we just publish what we think is interesting.
@JamesYou make my point for me. Yes, “(La) Russophobe has published various articles strongly criticizing and attacking this blog…”Specifically, La Russophobe was created (imho) to promote the idea that Russia is a threat and therefore, Georgia should be granted fast-track entry in NATO. La Russophobe could care less about Russia, in general, and Mr. Khordokovsky, in particular.Seeing as you guys have a direct interest in working to free Mr. Khordokovsky, I fail to understand how you would allow yourselves to be associated with an anonymous group (perhaps you guys know the identity of the people behind La Russophobe), which has gone on record as saying that Mr. Khordokovsky should remain in jail specifically for the purpose of helping Georgia. (see bottom of this comment for direct quote)Your point about being criticized by many different constituent groups is a bit of a non-sequitur. So what? That doesn’t mean you need to cozy up to one of those groups whose interests are diametrically opposed to your own.QUOTE:penny // March 6, 2009 at 8:34 pm | ReplyKhodorkovsky and his family have suffered enough. He would be a valuable asset to the liberal opposition if he’s freed.LA RUSSOPHOBE RESPONDS:Not if he goes on saying the Kremlin was right to attack Georgia, he wouldn’t. And if he were to be released it would only be because of some promise not to help the opposition, which if he broke would only result in his being arrested again. The fact is that the Kremlin would not release a dangerous Khodorkovsky, so he’s only “valuable” to the extent he remains in jail.
We have no “association” with LR, nor with any other article we link to. If you publish a blog post supportive of MBK also, you can count on us to link to it.
Fair enough. I never suspected RA of having an “association” with LaR.But with all due respect, you are avoiding the question of why you would link to an article published by a group who wants to see your client remain behind bars simply in order to achieve their mission of promoting Georgia’s entry in NATO.You even said as much, yourself, in the Comment thread from March 6th.>Anyhow, I’ll drop it since it doesn’t sound like you really want to address the issue.
He links to Phoby because the only card RA has ever had to play has been the “mar Russia’s reputation in the West” card. Unfortunately for Mr K, Russia now has leaders who care nothing for what the West thinks of them, having learned from the Gorbachev and Yeltsin experience that the price of the favorable US and British viewsof Russia is abject submission to their will.Bad strategy, overall. The present Russian leadership are determined to advance their country’s interests, and care nothing for Brit/USopinion.